Donegal changemakers shine bright in National Young Social Innovators Awards

Students from Scoil Mhuire Secondary School, Buncrana achieved national recognition in the Young Social Innovators of the Year Awards which took place at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin last week. 

The group received the Planet Protectors award for their project entitled ‘WATER WE DOING?’. The students were driven by a desire to combat the urban effects on water quality and the marine environment in their hometown of Buncrana. They have taken innovative approaches to achieve this such as creating rainwater gardens and have applied to the EU for funding to promote marine literacy education.

Thirty-seven teams from post primary schools throughout Ireland were selected to take part in a rigorous pitching process in April and the 17 overall and individual category winners including the team from Scoil Mhuire Secondary School were announced on stage by the Awards co-presenters, broadcaster Zara King and former Hometown boyband member Dayl Cronin.

Commenting on the range and high standard of this year’s entries for the Young Social Innovators of the Year Awards, CEO of YSI, Roger Warnock, said:  “The incredible quality of ideas submitted this year led to a higher number of teams being selected for the final pitches.  Each one of them demonstrated the creative thinking, passion and teamwork needed to find impactful solutions to social issues affecting their communities.  The support from teachers, parents, families and YSI guides is essential to the successful coordination of these social innovation projects and we’re so grateful to them for their ongoing commitment. 

“It's wonderful to see so many teams at today’s Awards and to recognise their energy and passion.  Our partners and judges are as excited and encouraged by the winning projects as the team at YSI and I have no doubt that the future is in safe hands with these incredible young people from Donegal.”